bose 901's with 5.1 setup??....any advice on which receiver to go with?

I know nothing about this Akai. Is it an amp?

If you have an amp, you get something like the Yamaha RX-V765 or RX-V667 (I think) with pre out jacks. Then you run the pre out L/R to the EQ then to the amp, then to the Bose speakers.

Near as I can tell, the Akai is a vintage stereo receiver. I don't think you want to incorporate it in. Modern receivers are pretty capable.

Slap some good bookshelf speakers on it and it'd make a funky shelf system.

I agree you should start fresh and grab a new receiver now. There are incredible machines available now for a relative pittance compared to just a few years ago. Stick with better entry to Mid level receivers aimed at 5.1 like the ones you have mentioned and you should be very happy.

Using the 901s as FL-FR might make for something of a challenge in terms of matching the center channel SQ with a multi-channel setup. But any Phantom Center mode should work fairly well with the Bose Direct-Reflective soundfield so you may be able to do without a CC, short or longer term.

If your interest in the Akai is to use it for 2 channel usage, which you have become used to....forget it. I doubt it has anything like the connections you would need to incorporate it as a 2 channel preamp/amp with a new receiver.

You may not need the bose eq in the loop, I say maybe, run the auto setup and just maybe, the program will have the eq power to flatten the output of the 901's.

The bose 901 need 200+ watts to sound there best and you aren't going to find that power in a avr, but onkyo 3008 and 5008, do let you bridge the fronts for 200 plus watts per channel R /L only.

Its all comes down to money, your choice.

I have a suggestion. Get a receiver with pre outs. As I think you will want the option to use an external amp.

Hook up the pre outs to the EQ than to the Akai. See how it works.

If you need more power, save up for a new amp.

Unfortunately you won't be able to use the 901s without pre-outs and your 901 EQ between the pre-outs and an external amp. The EQ applied through the 901 EQ is so unconventional and proprietary to the 901s that a receiver just won't get the curve right. Sorry but it's the only way for them to sound decent. In addition their direct/reflect radiation pattern will really muck up the sound when used in a 5.1 configuration in my opinion. I would seriously reconsider using them in a HT setting.

Hiya,

Relative Newbie here, my recent experience with mid-, lower-mid Yamaha's moved me toward 765 over lesser (665 and below, and 567 and below for 2010's) mainly for the reason's of separate amplification and power. Seems to clarify sound and allow good instrument separation with 765 over 667, 567 (big time).

The rx-v 665 did not have separate amplifiers, making it in that respect similar to the new rx-v567. I couldn't tell you why the 765 sounded better than the 667 (very similar specs) but it did. To me, and more importantly to my wife (aka "The Boss").

The 765 seems very capable so far. Mind, we are using a conventional Paradigm speaker set.

Happy hunting.

Mike

User "fartecho" needs help with Bose 901's... Feel the irony!

Anyway, I would try taking the front L/R preamp outputs from the new Yamaha into the Bose EQ's input connections (not sure if amp or tape matters) and then the Bose EQ's outputs (from the same set of connections used for the inputs) into the Aux (line, I assume) input of the older receiver. Select Aux on the old receiver and have at it.

I agree most AVRs will not have the range to EQ 901's without using the Bose EQ box -- it's a pretty large amount of EQ.

HTH - Don

If you are looking for a new AVR then Onkyo is for Bose! Onkyo matches the best that is way the Bose store uses Onkyo! Onkyo has a wider ohm range then must AVR's 2 ohm,4 0hm, 6ohm and 8 ohm. Some of there new AVR's even too 3ohm! Most Bose stuff is 2ohm and 6ohm that is why Boses uses them plus for sound they match well! It will have all your tape out stuff they use for the 901's. At the Bose store they use on the 901's only is the Onkyo M-282 amp.

http://www.onkyousa.com/prod_class.cfm?class=Receiver

http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=...=Amplifier&p=s

Bose has a optional booklet for connection for the 901's but you have too ask them for it. I ask them for you when I get it I will post it.

Check Audiogon listings in your area - search by zip code, the first two digits...Adcom / NAD or a vintage pro amp maybe.

"Buzzing" could indicate a bad cable.

Is there a gain difference between using the "amp" and "tape" connections of the Bose EQ (been too long since I have seen/used one)? Maybe switching to the other set of I/O would boost the gain...

Otherwise, I'd probably just set them where they need to be and enjoy. - Don

You can get the Onkyo M-282 cheaper from a lot of Dealers and most reviews say it is a good bang for the buck! It should not run hot with the Bose 901's.

You can find a Dealer that will let you try it for 30 days and if it is not for you return it! That is the best way too go. I am still waiting on the PDF booklet from Bose on all the connection option's you can do.

This amp is great. I paired it with a new Onkyo receiver and save my 901s retirement for another day. The 901s like DTS-MA with this amp!

The tape in/out on the Bose 901 eq should not (maybe cannot), afaik, be used for primary audio chain between pre out and main in or external amp input. The tape jacks are there merely in lieu of those on the receiver that are normally occupied by connecting the 901 EQ to the system.

Here's what I would do...

1. Yamaha HT receiver "Front" pre out > Akai receiver "Aux" input
2. Akai Tape 1 "Rec" output > 901 EQ "Amplifier Input"
3. 901 EQ "Amplifier Output" > Akai Tape 1 "Play" input
4. Set Akai receiver "Selector" switch to "Aux"
5. Set Akai receiver "Tape Monitor" switch to "Tape 1"
6. Ensure "Monitor" button on 901 EQ is set to "Source".

Perform the speaker level calibration routine on the Yamaha and note the trim levels for the front speakers. If the front speaker trim levels are far off the 0dB position, turn up or turn down the volume on the Akai receiver as necessary (if trim is on the (-) side turn up Akai, if trim is on (+) side turn down Akai) to bring the trim levels to a roughly centered position. I strive to stay within +/-3dB of 0. You may have to repeat the speaker calibration a couple of times to get the Akai volume adjusted so the front trims are roughly centered in the Yamaha calibration range.

Now the levels of the Bose speakers should be matched to the rest of the speakers and the Yamaha volume control now is the master volume. The Akai volume shouldn't be readjusted or the level calibration for the front speakers in relation to the others will be changed.